Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

California highway named after heroic Indian-American officer Ronil Singh

A suspected drunk driver fatally shot Singh on December 26, 2018

California highway named after heroic Indian-American officer Ronil Singh

TO honour a fallen national hero, a stretch of a highway in California, US, has been named after 33-year-old Indian-origin police officer Ronil Singh who was shot and killed by an illegal immigrant in 2018.

The stretch of Highway 33 in Newman was dedicated last week to Singh from the Newman Police Department, the Modesto Bee newspaper reported.


Signage proclaiming the Corporal Ronil Singh Memorial Highway stands at Highway 33 and Stuhr Road.

Singh, a native of Fiji joined the force in July 2011. A suspected drunk driver fatally shot him on December 26, 2018.

A three-day manhunt led to his killer, Paulo Virgen Mendoza, being apprehended at a relative's house in Kern County. He pleaded guilty in November 2020 to Singh's murder and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

A ceremony to unveil the sign was held following the community's Tunnel to Towers 5K walk and run.

Singh's wife, Anamika, their son, Arnav, who was just five months old when his father was killed, and other family members were present at the event.

They were joined by his Newman Police Department colleagues and officials including county supervisor Channce Condit, state Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil, US Representative John Duarte and Assemblyman Juan Alanis.

Messages written on the back of the sign included Arnav's, which reads Love you Papa.

"Today the community came together to honour the memory of Cpl. Ronil Singh, who was tragically killed in the line of duty in December 2018. The memorial highway sign was unveiled today and will be displayed on Highway 33 and Stuhr Road," Alanis posted on X.

"I was honoured to pay my respects to my former law enforcement colleague, and may his memory live on forever," he said.

The California Department of Transportation also posted on X, "Today, #Caltrans joined the community members, friends and family of Cpl. Ronil Singh to dedicate a highway memorial in his name on State Route 33 through the @cityofNewman.

In September 2019, the Assembly Transportation Committee passed a resolution for the Corporal Ronil Singh Memorial Highway in western Stanislaus and Merced counties. But the report added that naming a stretch of Highway 33 near Newman in honour of Singh later stalled.

The effort was reignited when Condit approached senator Alvarado-Gil about the memorial after she was elected in November 2022 and sworn into office.

Condit told her more action was required to designate the memorial highway, and her office went to work with Caltrans to choose the location for the memorial highway section, it said.

In 2019, former US president Donald Trump described Singh as a "national hero."

He also spoke with the family members and law enforcement colleagues of Singh and said America's heart broke the day the young officer was "savagely murdered" in cold blood by an "illegal alien".

(PTI)

More For You

Minouche Shafik

Shafik served as deputy governor for markets and banking at the Bank of England between August 2014 and February 2017.

Reuters

Starmer appoints Minouche Shafik as chief economic adviser in reshuffle

Highlights:

  • Minouche Shafik named chief economic adviser to Keir Starmer.
  • Darren Jones moves into Downing Street role; James Murray replaces him.
  • Wider reshuffle includes changes in Starmer’s private office and communications.
  • Appointment comes ahead of a budget expected to include further tax rises.

Prime minister Keir Starmer has named Minouche Shafik, a former deputy governor of the Bank of England, as his chief economic adviser. The appointment comes as he looks to strengthen his team ahead of what is expected to be a difficult end to the year.

Keep ReadingShow less
modi putin

Before their formal meeting, Putin offered Modi a ride in his Aurus limousine.

X/@narendramodi

Six key takeaways from the SCO summit

INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi met Russian president Vladimir Putin and Chinese president Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China.

Modi pressed for ending the Ukraine conflict at the earliest, reaffirmed India’s long-standing ties with Russia, and discussed trade and border issues with Xi.

Keep ReadingShow less
Afghanistan earthquake

Afghan volunteers and Taliban security personnel carry an earthquake victim evacuated by a military helicopter from the Nurgal district of Kunar province onn September 1, 2025.

Getty Images

Afghanistan earthquake kills more than 800, thousands injured

A MAJOR rescue operation was underway in Afghanistan on Monday after a powerful earthquake and several aftershocks destroyed homes in a remote mountainous region, killing more than 800 people, according to Taliban authorities.

The quake struck just before midnight and was felt as far as Kabul and in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ganpati festival

The Ganpati festival celebrates Ganesha as the god of new beginnings, and the god of wisdom and intelligence. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Hindu community centre in London damaged in fire after Ganapati Visarjan event

A HINDU community centre in east London caught fire on Saturday evening, causing major damage to the building. The London Fire Brigade brought the fire under control and confirmed that no injuries were reported.

The incident took place at the Shree Sorathia Prajapati Community Centre on Cleveland Road in Ilford, which had been decorated for a Ganapati Visarjan event attended by members of the Hindu community.

Keep ReadingShow less
Modi ,Xi & Putin

Narendra Modi talks with Vladimir Putin and Xi jinping ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit 2025 at the Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Centre in Tianjin on September 1, 2025.

Getty Images

SCO declaration slams Pahalgam attack, calls for united action on terror

Highlights:

  • SCO condemns terror attack in Pahalgam and echoes India’s stance on “double standards”.
  • Leaders call for justice for perpetrators of attacks in Pahalgam and Balochistan.
  • Declaration criticises Israeli military strikes in Gaza causing civilian casualties.
  • SCO stresses UN’s central role in global counter-terrorism strategy.

THE SHANGHAI Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on Monday condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam and agreed with India’s position that “double standards” in tackling terrorism are not acceptable.

Keep ReadingShow less